Coonawarra-based winery Brand’s Laira has bucked trade restrictions on Australian wines by China to receive the Coonawarra Wine of the Year trophy at the 2021 China Wine & Spirits Awards.
The winery – owned by Casella Wines – was awarded the Wine of the Year trophy for its 2016 One Seven One Cabernet Sauvignon.
Brand’s Laira also picked up two Double-Gold Medals – one for its Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon – and three Gold Medals, with the winery acknowledging the wins as a fantastic achievement for the local winery at the acclaimed awards.
It’s equally remarkable when considering the current trade environment between Australia and China, with anti-dumping duties still in place on Australian wines including on Casella’s brands.
Brand’s Laira’s senior winemaker and manager Peter Weinberg and winemaker Amy Blackburn both agreed the win was an indication of the quality of the winery’s top of the line wine, the One Seven One Cabernet Sauvignon, which has received a Double-Gold medal for two vintages.
“It’s still a bit of a difficult time at the moment, not just with COVID-19 but also with the Chinese taxes,” Mr Weinberg said.
“To be recognised at these awards is great potentially for sales – but no matter what, it is an indication of quality and that we’re meeting the marks that we have set for quality.
“It’s great for Coonawarra and highlights us as a great Cabernet producing region in the world.
“To achieve that standard when you’re judged against other Cabernets from around the world – we’re very happy with it.”
Brand’s Laira’s 2016 and 2018 One Seven Ones have both received a Double-Gold at the China Wine and Spirit Awards, with the 2016 wine also receiving the trophy for Coonawarra Wine of the Year.
“For two vintages of that wine to receive Double-Gold and that trophy is a good indication of the quality,” Ms Blackburn said.
The winemakers are hopeful Brand’s Laira will be able to showcase its wines at the Limestone Coast Wine Show, of which Ms Blackburn is a crucial part.
Another of the Coonawarra region’s wineries has received a highly regarded Australian accolade, with Bowen Estate awarded a gold medal at the James Halliday Wine Companion wine competition.
The family-owned winery received the award for its 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, with winemaker Emma Bowen saying the winery was humbled and excited to have received the nod.
“It’s a great achievement for everyone who works with us,” Ms Bowen said.
Ms Bowen said it was a popular bottle being produced by the winery and one that had been extremely well-received.
“It was an outstanding vintage for us,” she said.
“We had great weather conditions, which has helped produce a wine full of flavour and full of great natural acidity.
“It’s been very well received by the people who consume our wine.”
With this year’s Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations a little over a month away, Ms Bowen said the event would offer a great opportunity for locals to taste the wine and others like it.
Bowen Estate will host a handful of events during the Cabernet Celebrations, including a tasting of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon where patrons will also be able to try three decades of the same wine.
Patrons will also have the chance to try the next vintage out of barrel before the wine is bottled, giving them a chance to learn more about the process behind creating award-winning varieties.
Brand’s Laira will also take part in Coonawarra’s Cabernet Celebrations.
